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How much programming knowledge do you possess?

ITcognito

I know that we are not software developers here, but how much programming knowledge and experience do we need? Do you code (besides scripts) on your job?

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Comments

Master Of Puppets

That would very much depend on what you do. If we take scripting out I think very few network, systems admins and the like need to code. Since I am in security, those are the first people that I think of who do it. However, in my view everyone can benefit from understanding programming regardless of how much you need it in your job.

paul78

ITcognito wrote: »

I know that we are not software developers here, but how much programming knowledge and experience do we need?

There's actually quite a few software developers here as I recall

My previous background is as a software engineer - both embedded systems and systems development. I.e. low-level OS utilities mostly. I also worked on business applications for a short while but found it less interesting.

ITcognito wrote: »

Do you code (besides scripts) on your job?

No, not anymore. I'm in management but I still dabble when I have a chance on my free time.

CodeBlox

Only language I know enough about to write anything useful is C but thats fine... The languge is fast as hell and I love the syntax. I've actually posted code here for some peer review when I'm sorta stuck and it's usually only Paul78 who replies LOL! It's mostly a hobby for me. Looking to leverage svn for some source code management soon on sourceforge. I'm tired of constantly sftping files back to my main workhorse for programming.

sparten

learning c++

rensational

Actually, I'm interested in getting into programming, and that's the only reason why I have any programming knowledge. Programming doesn't have anything to do with my current job, but if I stay at the company I'm at it maybe eventually could as they do some programming there.

I have completed a beginner's C++ class and just completed a beginner's Objective-C class. I'm continuing with Objective-C on my own.

About7Narwhal

I think it would be a great idea for you to know the basics of at least 1 programming language and HTML for any IT job. Once you understand the basics of coding, you can more easily adapt to coding needs as they arise vs someone who might have never seen any code at all.

the_hutch

Just scripting here

olaHalo

Ive taken entry level classes in this order
Java
Visual Basic
Javascript (imo its a programming language)
C++
C#

I would say understand the basics but I cant write anything very useful other than password managers and other simple tools.

sparten

About7Narwhal wrote: »

I think it would be a great idea for you to know the basics of at least 1 programming language and HTML for any IT job. Once you understand the basics of coding, you can more easily adapt to coding needs as they arise vs someone who might have never seen any code at all.

true but if you only know html that isnt going to help you at all. html / css is like bare minimum lol. you should atleast be familiar with an OOP language (ie: java, php, c varients, etc) and know what a function / object / class is

NetworkVeteran

ITcognito wrote: »

I know that we are not software developers here

Speak for yourself.

I have strong programming abilities, but it's rarely worth it for me to program or script things these days. There are usually younger folk who can do that for me and charge less per hour. Still, every once in awhile it comes in very handy! If you're being assigned repetitive work, the ability to automate it could set you apart from others.

hoktauri

Python, Ruby, C#, Java, Javascript, PHP, CSS & HTML. Currently trying for a Java development position in VA since it pays a hell of a lot more than desktop support.

CodeBlox

What part of VA?

instant000

ITcognito wrote: »

I know that we are not software developers here, but how much programming knowledge and experience do we need? Do you code (besides scripts) on your job?

We? Strong choice of terms. That implies a sense of belonging to the collective. (I'm just kidding with you.)

I haven't done much programming since I took it in college, most of it was back in the 90's

VB was one of the courses I took back in college, along with Basic, RPG, Cobol, and a few other things. I remember having a classmate who thought that Java was so awesome! Fun times! Hrm, I wonder, does VB still use the "me." syntax? that seemed weak when I saw it those years ago. We used to call that "Mickey Mouse code".

I possess enough programming knowledge to know that it's not necessarily my cup of tea. I don't code on my job, but there was a tool that a team member wrote in VB, and I was able to debug it, using what I'd consider basic troubleshooting skills - asking questions, looking for the simplest link, and tshooting from there. Turned out to be one of those simple things of not accounting for a common error condition. (EDIT: One man's common is another man's uncommon.)

Programming, from my point of view, is just breaking down things into a logical series of steps, where you transition from inputs to outputs.

It's also one of those things whereby the more you know about it, the more paranoid you get about it. For example, can you really trust a compiler you didn't write yourself? Can you really trust that chip if you don't have absolute supply chain control?

Whether you manipulate the bits on a grand level, or a very granular level, it's still flipping them bits.

Hope this helps.

hoktauri

Fairfax